Since 1974, Durham Arts Council has brought the Durham community together with an annual arts festival in the fall. As Durham’s signature fine arts festival, CenterFest showcases juried visual artists from across the country and fills multiple stages with stand-out local performers. Located in Downtown Durham's vibrant city center district, CenterFest performers, artists and visitors will enjoy a setting filled with restaurants, shops and studios: a perfect space for an event that will bring 30,000+ visitors over the weekend. This year's festival will take place on Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th.
The Durham Arts Council is looking for a diverse array of performance groups and entertainers. Their goal is to showcase community artists, with a focus on performers who may not be represented in the wider arts sector. Performance artists and groups who identify as BIPOC are encouraged to apply. Performers must submit an online application by June 1, 2026 to apply.
Visual artists are invited to apply to participate in CenterFest 2026 and must submit an online application with images and application fee by May 1, 2026.
Location
Durham, NC
Fees or awards
$40 application fee